I am the complete opposite demographic of this vehicle’s target audience. A mid-twenties male will never, ever, work extra hours

The Buick Enclave is a good looking luxury crossover, but there's more to it than just fluid lines. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

and strive to save a down payment for a Buick. Yet, I loved driving and living with this front-wheel drive Buick Enclave CX for the week I had it. I really did.

So what was it like? Well, it was very Buick-y, in all the good ways.

After work, all you really want to do is wind down and get home. I really like living a little distance from the job, because the drive gives my brain a chance to switch off work mode on the way. All the stuff that peeved me off has a chance to work its way out of my system before I get home. The Enclave was great for this. You should try it. Just put a CD into the great sounding stereo to cool down, or cheer up, and let the torquey V6 and six-speed automatic effortlessly and seamlessly float you home.

First off,

Distinctive design and lots of chrome, the Enclave really stands out. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

at rest you can barely tell its running. With the windows up and the stereo off I could barely feel a rumble, even having to stop conversation to hear the engine. Over highway bumps it’s serenely quiet and buttery smooth. It wafts through the countryside like smoke from an old man’s pipe.

It’s not comfortable like a Lexus, or for that matter a big BMW. It’s comfortable like a La-Z-Boy, or a loveseat you have all to yourself. The cloth seats were blue against a black interior, and huge. The widest of the wide could drive the Enclave and have plenty of room to spare. The middle row chairs are above average as well. The third row, while still not the most comfortable place to travel, might be the best third row I have ever sat in.

It’s a

A great looking cabin... the Enclave is all about pampering luxury. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

big vehicle with a long wheelbase. The back window looks far away in the rearview mirror. Having the wheels far apart absorbs bumps better, as do the big 255/65 R18 Goodyear tires. There is enough interior volume to be useful, but it’s not excessively capacious like a minivan. We bought a rather large BBQ during the week and its bathtub-sized box slid right in over the rear seats.

Its size and bulbous curves would be seductive to a large marine mammal, especially with all the shiny objects glued to it. There is plenty of chrome on the grille, on the front bumper, on the door handles, on the roof rails, around the windows, around those little louvers on the hood and around the monopoly board sized taillights. It is handsome, like how a younger man with a little bit of grey can look distinguished. The wood around

Lots of room in back. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

the steering wheel is real, but the rest of the wood trim is another colour altogether, and unapologetically fake, but that’s okay as it still adds warmth to the interior.

It does have a fun side. The standard motor is a 3.6L V6, and the six-speed transmission makes good use out of the engine’s 288 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. It is quick, and always smooth. It handles surprisingly well, and again, is always smooth. If you throw it at an off ramp it doesn’t feel like you’re maneuvering a 2,168-kilo (4,780-lb) sled as it calmly and comfortably leans on the outside tires. You can brake hard in a corner and it stays composed. The steering is very light, yet you won’t feel disconnected.

No shortage of cargo space. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

It just behaves well to each input, and is rather enjoyable to pilot. Not in a rebellious sporty way, but a relaxed, rather agreeable way. Not bad for a seven, or optionally eight passenger crossover.

The price of my tester was $43,060, with the only option being a $255 remote starter. It boasts power seats, cruise, a power tailgate, Xenon HID headlights and rear climate controls. A CX model with all-wheel drive goes for $45,805. It can be optioned out to over $60K, but the base model is the best value and just as comfortable without the toys, such as the moonroof and backup camera.

On fuel it

The Enclave: for those who want comfort above all. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

scores average. I got 11.5L/100km, while the EnerGuide numbers are 12.7L/100km city and 8.4L/100km highway, on regular.

Incidentally, it shares the same platform as the Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook. Each has a different look and a slightly different marketing angle. I’ve driven the GMC and the Saturn, and can say the Buick is my favorite.

Driving can be fun, but most of the time it is boring and time consuming. You just want to get there as painlessly as possible. They haven’t invented a car that can avoid traffic yet, so you might as well be comfortable. The Enclave certainly is.

Interior

Exterior

Mechanical

Safety

Dimensions

Misc

(ABC) Seating, 8-Passenger Cloth

(J005) Standard Gloss Paint

(K05) Engine Block Heater

(PDC) Driver Confidence Package

(DK1) Rear Floor Compartment

(58U) Carbon Black Metallic

(80U) Red Jewel Tintcoat

(98U) White Diamond Tricoat

(V92) Trailering Equipment

(BTV) Remote Engine Start

(UUI) Bose Sound System